It is not currently possible for me to take card payments over the phone. VISA have gone the same way as MasterCard and made un-reasonable demands of me to continue taking Cardholder Not Present payments, as they consider my business a "high risk" business, because I sell tobacco. Because of this, I can't take payments over the phone, even for non-tobacco sales. Payment by cheque and bank transfer are still possible, as is a payment request through Viva Wallet

Anyone attempting to reach this website using the Chrome browser is now being met with a warning that the site is "Dangerous". It's true that the site does not have a security certificate, but as the site is basically an online catalogue of the products that we have for sale, it doesn't really need one. You will not be asked for any sensitive information while on the website and you are not currently able to complete any purchase while on the website. Even before PayPal closed my account, any purchases were completed safely on the PayPal website. You can still get to the website using Chrome, if you click for more information, then choose proceed to website. We're currently working on a new website, which will offer an alternative to PayPal at the checkout. The new site will be based on a more up to date platform and will therefore be able to get a security certificate.

I am pleased to be able to announce an alternative method of payment for overseas customers, following PayPal's withdrawal of services. It is not possible to integrate this alternative into the current website, that will have to wait until the new website is up and running, but I am able to issue payment requests, that customers will be able to pay using a credit/debit card. The alternative is called "Viva Wallet" and as with PayPal you don't need an account to make a payment. If you wish to make a purchase, you should email me with a list of your requirements and your full name and postal address and I will send the payment request at the earliest opportunity. Please note that I may need to check stock levels, which can only be done when I am at work. It's early days yet, but the first few transactions went through without major problems, you may need to contact your card issuer for pre-approval, or to verify the transaction, but that's something that is getting more common these days, and no bad thing in my view. On a side note, following the latest Lockdown, the premises are again closed to the general public. I am still working and can take orders by phone during the times shown on the "Contact" page, or you can email me at any time. Stay safe, stay smoking your pipe.

Before we know it, Christmas is almost upon us once again! Like most of you, I will be taking some time off to enjoy the festive season with family and friends, Covid 19 permitting.

Blakemar Briars will be closed from 12:30pm on Wednesday 23/12/2019 until 9:30am on Monday 04/01/2021.

I hope everyone enjoys their Christmas break and a happy new year to you all - see you in 2021!

Today I've received an automated email from PayPal informing me that my account has been 'limited'. This means they have blocked any further account usage, including locking any funds in the account for "up to 180 days".

I am looking to resolve this as soon as possible, but unfortunately this means you won't be able to use PayPal when completing purchases on this website. Please see below for alternative ways we can accept payments in the meantime:

Basket - Cheque Payment (UK Only)

When you reach the checkout you will see a 'Cheque' payment option - you can select this to complete the checkout process. While you are more than welcome to send a cheque as payment, you can also Contact Us after completing your order to pay electronically.

Telephone - Card Processing (UK Only)

We are able to process orders over the telephone as always, using our on-site card machine that is also usually used inside the Blakemar showroom (when it isn't closed due to covid). Customers are more than welcome to phone in to place an order, whether you have completed the online checkout or not.

Overseas Customers

We are working on a solution, but need to fully investigate the alternatives.
We will update this post as soon as possible - please check back for details.

Unfortunately we can't add any other third party payment systems into the current website, but we are working on a new one in the background and hope to have it up and running soon - we may well move away from PayPal if there is future risk of this happening.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused - as always feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or issues.
Stay safe & happy smoking.

In an effort to protect the safety & wellbeing of our customers and staff, Blakemar Briars will be making a few changes to the way we operate:

• Our workshop is no longer open to the general public for sales or repairs.
• You can still place orders via this website.
• You can still contact us via email or telephone to order pipes, tobacco and accessories.
• We shall still be sending out goods in the post.
• You can still send pipes for repair in the post as usual.

Instead of sending out parcels every day, we will attempt to minimise contact by making just one or two trips to the post office each week.
This may result in a slight delay for some customers, so please place your orders early if you want a top up of tobacco.

For the next few weeks we will be on hand to take telephone, email and website orders in the mornings only.
If you are going to telephone, please do so between 9:30 and 12:30.
You will still be able to leave a message at any other time.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, stay safe!

NOTE: This event has been cancelled due to Coronavirus.
See original post below:

The UK Pipe Show is back again!

Some of the UK's finest pipe makers will be there, with products available to everyone that attends the event.

A word from the organisers

"Just a little announcement to cheer up an otherwise dreary January, the Show will be returning this year and I’m happy to confirm that the official date is Sunday 12th July 2020.

The venue will once again be The Canal House, Nottingham, NG1 7EH.

Attendance is free as always and food & drink is available directly from the bar.

The usual suspects and premier British Pipe Makers will be in attendance; confirmed so far are Ian Walker of Northern Briars,

Chris Kelly of Eldritch Pipes, Chris Askwith of Askwith Pipes and Mike Billington of Blakemar Briars.

Also in attendance will be Sam Brammer of GQ Tobaccos, plus more vendors to be confirmed.

If you or a Pipe Maker/Seller that you know would like a sales table reserving, please contact me directly via PM.

I hope to see lots of you there again this year. Any questions feel free to ask

Update 18/03/2020:

Unfortunately this event has been cancelled due to COVID-19 and recent government advice concerning gatherings. The safety and wellbeing of our guests and staff is our top priority, leading us to this cancellation. Once things return to normal, we will look to arrange another meeting where all PCoL members will be welcome.

Please note the Blakemar Briars shop will be open as usual until further notice - feel free to place your orders online for pipes, tobacco and accessories delivered straight to your door!

Original Article:

The Pipe Club of London meeting will be held at our premises on 21/03/2020.

As always, all PCoL members are welcome. Bring along your pipes for repairs & stories to share. Enjoy a relaxed day with like-minded individuals sharing a puff and a brew together. Browse our showroom to see our latest stock & get an exclusive look around the workshop to see all that goes into making a perfect pipe. 

Please note that the showroom will be open as usual to all customers looking to browse our selection of pipes & tobacco.

Blakemar Briars will be closed from 10/06/2019 and will reopen for business 9am 19/06/2019. Orders placed during this time will not start processing until we are open once again. Any emails sent on the above date will be answered upon my return, however please bear in mind that my reply may be delayed further while I try to respond to everyone in chronological order. We're off to the Greece to relax in the sun. I have only had one other holiday abroad in the last 35 years so will be making the most of it! :)

The UK Pipe Show is back again!

Some of the UKs finest pipe makers will be down, with products available to anyone who attends the event.

A word from the organisers

"Following on from the success of the 2017 and 2018 U.K. Pipe Show, the show will be returning this year and I’m pleased to announce that the official date is Sunday 26th May 2019.

The venue will once again be The Canal House, Nottingham, NG1 7EH.

Attendance is free as always and food & drink is available directly from the bar.

Once again, we will have some of the cream of crop of British Pipe Makers in attendance; confirmed so far are Ian Walker of Northern Briars, Chris Kelly of Eldritch Pipes, Chris Askwith of Askwith Pipes and Mike Billington of Blakemar Briars.

Also in attendance will be Sam Brammer of GQ Tobaccos and The Pipe Rack, plus more vendors to be confirmed.The last two times have been amazing days so let’s aim for a hat-trick. I hope to see lots of you there again this year for a day dedicated to our fantastic hobby, so please bring yourself, your pipes, your tobacco and your sparkling company."

Find out more

More information about the event can be found on the UK Pipe Show Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/ukpipeshow2017/

We'll be there!

Blakemar Briars will once again be attending the UK Pipe Show, with a table reserved for us to display a selection of our pipes available for sale.

Keep an eye out for our Blakemar Briars table banner!

The show is always a great day out, whether you're looking to browse the various pipes for sale or to relax, enjoy a smoke and chat with fellow pipe enthusiasts.

We hope to see you there!